Local Issues

Housing

Here I am pictured at the launch of Regional Housing Manifesto by the Institute of Housing in the South West together with the Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation and Tobias Ellwood, M.P. for Bournemouth East.

Many of my constituents, particularly those buying houses for the first time, are concerned about the huge increase in house prices in Bournemouth West.

Although this is good news for those who already own their own houses, it is not so good for first time buyers and those whose salaries simply do not stretch to climbing on the property ladder.  Bournemouth, Portland and Weymouth are now the least affordable areas for under 40s seeking to purchase a home in the whole of the U.K.

I frequently raise this matter with Government Ministers on behalf of my younger constituents.  I recently attended the launch of the Regional Housing Manifesto by the Institute of Housing in the South West where possible solutions to the lack of affordable housing were put forward in discussions.  Three key issues were highlighted:  the ageing population (the South West has the highest proportion of over 60s of any English region), the lack of investment in housing and the problem of high land values and planning issues in the region.

I think that one way of helping people on the housing ladder is to open up shared ownership schemes to enable more people to benefit, rather than the small number of workers in the state sector as at present.  I want to end the scandal of new homes lying empty.  I also believe that more homes suitable for first time buyers should be built so long as the environment is protected. I am opposed to a new land development tax which would force up the cost of new homes.

I have consistently campaigned against Home Information Packs which will increase costs for both buyers and sellers and I am glad that the Government has partly climbed down on this issue.

In addition, my Private Member's Bill, the Financial Mutuals Arrangements Bill, will enable building societies to reduce mortgage interest charges.